Pet Health And Care >> Dog Breed >> Dogue de bordeaux

Dogue de Bordeaux Breed of Dog:

Dogue de Bordeaux dogs, also known as French Mastiffs, are probably one of the most recognizable of dog breeds and is characterized by its rather short, but imposing physical presence.

The most noticeable feature of the Dogue de Bordeaux dog is probably the fact that it sports the biggest head amongst all pure dog breeds. The coat will usually be fawn colored with a red or black mask.

The athletic and powerful body of this four legged animal has led it to being highly regarded for a variety of roles over the course of history that has seen it employed in the protection of elite castles as well as herding flocks of sheep. It is also known to be equally effective when trained to be a guard dog with a reputation of being a ruthless fighter.

The Dogue de Bordeaux dog is considered to be one of the foremost examples of an acromegalic breed of dog where there is an overgrowth of the skin and bones in locations such as the head, hand and feet. This is accentuated by the wrinkling of the skin around the face of the animal. However, while the dogs have a rather menacing presence and are widely regarded for their aggressiveness, they are also known to be excellent companions for children and sick humans. They are very loyal and are also extremely affectionate if brought up with a lot of care and tenderness making Dogue de Bordeaux rather straightforward. The Dogue de Bordeaux dog’s are famously known for their protectiveness and can dissuade almost any intruder if they feel that their master or home is under threat.

While the dogs are best raised in large open spaces to allow them to have all the exercise in the world, they are easily maintained in a small apartment so long as they get the exercise they need. Like any other canine breed, these animals are not without any health concerns. Some of the more common ailments present include hip dysplasia, heart problems, hyperkeratosis and even a variety of heart problems and conditions. Under optimum living conditions each dog will have a lifespan of between 10 to 12 years and are best fed a home prepared meal rather than any commercially available packaged food. The meals should consist of large proportions of meat and bones while any over – feeding of the animal should be avoided as it is known to promote bloating as well as skeletal problems.

Submitted on December 29, 2009